2022 Nanoose Bay/French Creek Reports

[BigBird007]

Down load the app “Can U Dig it” it’s kind of slick for finding out what’s open and closed.

CO caught a guy at my work digging in a closed area and he told the guy if he downloaded this app he would only give him a warning.

 

[Sangstercraft]

Yesterday evening I was leaving French Creek in my boat en route to Lasqueti. A kilometer or so offshore, in about 200' of water, I passed a sea otter. I couldn't believe it, so I watched it in my binoculars, then turned around for a closer look. It lay on it's back for a bit, watching me. I could clearly see it's distinctive head-shape and face. I've seen them frequently on the west coast of Vancouver Island as I've fished out there for years. This one was undeniably a sea otter and not a seal nor a river otter. The first sea otter I've seen in the Strait in 40 years of living here!

It didn't look like a feeble old one, drifting on currents. It looked active, and healthy. This could be a good sign for recovery of seaweeds and herring spawning habitat.

 

[salmonkiller01]

Out for a quick spin last night at Gerald island. One nice 80 ish cm springer to the boat, released in the water and a couple bottom feeders. Beauty night out.

 

[MikePA]

Yesterday evening I was leaving French Creek in my boat en route to Lasqueti. A kilometer or so offshore, in about 200' of water, I passed a sea otter. I couldn't believe it, so I watched it in my binoculars, then turned around for a closer look. It lay on it's back for a bit, watching me. I could clearly see it's distinctive head-shape and face. I've seen them frequently on the west coast of Vancouver Island as I've fished out there for years. This one was undeniably a sea otter and not a seal nor a river otter. The first sea otter I've seen in the Strait in 40 years of living here!

It didn't look like a feeble old one, drifting on currents. It looked active, and healthy. This could be a good sign for recovery of seaweeds and herring spawning habitat.

Insane how many sea urchins are down there!

 

[MRWood]

Insane how many sea urchins are down there!

There used to be beautiful kelp beds off Dorcas Point but they are no longer. I'm assuming it's due to the sea urchins.

 

[sweettjim]

is there many coho showing up off french creek now?

 

[salmonkiller01]

Was at Balenas last night. Running one rod 7 boat side in an hour 9-17 range. Crazy! All hatchery No coho

 

[MRWood]

Was at Balenas last night. Running one rod 7 boat side in an hour 9-17 range. Crazy! All hatchery No coho

It's crazy that the springs were all hatchery and you couldn't even keep one

 

[salmonkiller01]

It's crazy that the springs were all hatchery and you couldn't even keep one

I stopped fishing as a seal was honing in on me and did not want to feed him. Great fights though, well worth getting out there. I am heading to the westcoast on the weekend hopefully keep a few

 

[salmonkiller01]

Good day off schooner cove
43 pound halibut. 125cm
And a crab or 2

 

[sweettjim]

Good day off schooner cove
43 pound halibut. 125cm
And a crab or 2

wow that must have been a surprise when it came to the surface

 

[salmonkiller01]

wow that must have been a surprise when it came to the surface

Yes it was. I was looking for a ling. Though it felt like a halibut, whole way up thinking octopus? Wolf eel? Huge ling? Nope a beauty halibut. Thank goodness it was on my halibut rod.

 

[MRWood]

Yes it was. I was looking for a ling. Though it felt like a halibut, whole way up thinking octopus? Wolf eel? Huge ling? Nope a beauty halibut. Thank goodness it was on my halibut rod.

You may have to change your forum handle
Nice catch, what a bonus.

 

[salmonkiller01]

You may have to change your forum handle
Nice catch, what a bonus.

Think “lucky *******” is taken

 

[salmonkiller01]

Did a little evening fish. Omg there is lots out there. Every 5 min

 

[sweettjim]

Yes it was. I was looking for a ling. Though it felt like a halibut, whole way up thinking octopus? Wolf eel? Huge ling? Nope a beauty halibut. Thank goodness it was on my halibut rod.

Nice what did u get it on

 

[MRWood]

Did a little evening fish. Omg there is lots out there. Every 5 min

Nice. Were you out at FC?

 

[salmonkiller01]

Nice. Were you out at FC?

Mistaken island. 145 was the depth for
Me

 

[MRWood]

Mistaken island. 145 was the depth for
Me

Funny, as I was just down the way at Cottam Reef jigging last night and it was dead. No salmon and no bait but the beer was cold

 

[Copper Moon]

Funny, as I was just down the way at Cottam Reef jigging last night and it was dead. No salmon and no bait but the beer was cold

It was crazy a little farther south yesterday afternoon.